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Hi, Quilly. Tag!
This is certainly a poignant story because it is so true to life. I'm talking about Ginny, not Harry. The situation, in every era and place, of a wife facing the necessity of telling her husband/partner that she is pregnant, not knowing how he will react to the news, positively or negatively.
If they both want a baby and have been trying for one, he's likely to be happy. But if it's a surprise, unintended, as so often happens, she has reason to worry that he might not be happy. In the case of a first baby, one or both of them may think, "I'm not ready. I don't want this change in my life, not yet." In the case of a subsequent baby, the thought might be, "We can't afford another baby. I don't want to go through the new-baby business again. I don't want a bigger family." All over the world, down through time, millions of women have been facing this moment.
I like how you sprinkle the little clues in the opening section of the story. She's been having nausea since Christmas Eve -- morning sickness. She is thankful to have an opportunity to go to the store by herself, without Harry tagging along, so that she can buy the pregnancy test without his knowing, and use it in privacy, and then, depending on how the test turns out, decide what she is going to do next, how she will break the news, of which she is almost certain.
The scene where Ginny tells Harry that she's pregnant is also spot on. Crying, not tears of joy, but tears of fear that she has let Harry down, that he will be upset by this turn of events, that he might think it's a disaster and all her fault. And the hasty addition of "I'm going to keep it, but you obviously don't have to..." to reassure him, even before he can object, that she's letting him completely off the hook if he doesn't want the baby. I like your phrase "the completely pragmatic part of her brain." It's awful that women have to think those thoughts and make those statements, but it's true.
So there is a lot of tension in your little story, but it was so rewarding to see that Harry says he's happy and he does want the baby, and we know that he's not going to abandon Ginny or pressure her to terminate the pregnancy, or any of those awful responses that could happen. All husbands should be like Harry.
A good story. I'm glad you wrote it. That takes guts.
Vicki
Hi, Quilly! Here for some tag! :P
Oh, no... Arthur... :( but I suppose it's part of life, right? I loved the melanchonic tone of this chapter... so fitting of the song, too! It was a bittersweet one, but the love within the family definitely makes up for the sadness of Arthur's death! As always, your closing line is so powerful and beautiful and just perfect to round up the chapter, it really says it all and I love it a lot! <3
I love the selection of objects Arthur left to each of his children, especially the ceramic bowl and the note accompanying it! So perfect! <3 And I love how it's the memory of her dad that convinces Ginny to let Lily go to Hogwarts early. Lily definitely deserves to be spoiled by her dad like Ginny was by Arthur, right? ;) (I get the point that Harry shouldn't use his influence to get favours for his kids like that, though... :P)
Lily's interruption of their kiss was hilarious and a definitely needed comic relief! It's sort of cliched, but in a good way! Loved the image so much! :D And I loved how they made the children dance <3 it's so cute!
It saddens me a little, thinking that Lily was so enthusiastic about the idea of starting Hogwarts with Xander, only to grow distant immediately after they start school... :/ but there's no reason for me to think about that now... :P And... Xander has some lingering memories? Mmmh... that could be a problem later on, but let's not think about that right now either ;)
Another great chapter!!! (And now I'm all caught up again... you'll need to keep writing... :P)
Big snowball hug,
Chiara
Hi, Quilly. Tag!
This is such a sweet story, touching on several different topics, but all well-integrated.
It is sad to know that Arthur has passed away, and perhaps a little before his time. My rough, back-of-the-envelope calculation is that he was only about 69 years old, give or take a few years. I liked the list of the little items and mementos that Arthur had left to his children--they show his personality well.
(CC: I think there may be some words missing in the line "...for George, a box filled with mementos for for Ron...")
The song by Billie Holiday is just perfect to express how Ginny feels when she sees and listens to the old vinyl records that her father loved to collect (and of course he had modified an old phongraph to be able to play them without electricity). :)
The business about Lily Luna going to Hogwarts while she is not yet eleven years old surprised me. Sure, I can see her wanting to go and begging to have her parents somehow procure an exception for her, and I can totally see Ginny tellling her no. As my father used to say to us kids, "Wantin' ain't gettin'." (Of course my father spoke perfect English; that was just a folksy expression, but also a valuable truth.)
But obviously Lily Luna, as the youngest child and only girl, has her father wrapped around her little finger, so that he cannot deny her anything she begs for, and, surprising to me, Harry has Professor McGonagall wrapped around his little finger also, so that she cannot deny this special request from the Hero of Hogwarts.
I wonder what the other Hogwarts students will think when they find out that the daughter of the famous Harry Potter has been granted a favor not offered to other students. I am reminded of the scene in Chapter 26 of "Tiramisu," where Professor Edenhyme is concerned (quite justifiably) that the other students will be resentful of Gerard's special permission to travel to Aberdeen a few times a year. So the decision is to give Gerard a formal appointment as a Writing instructor, thus making him a quasi-member of the Hogwarts faculty with the freedom to do a minimal amount of traveling off campus. It doesn't look as if there's an officially legit justification for making this exception for Lily Luna -- maybe she'll just keep her mouth shut about her age and refrain from bragging to the other students about her special privilege (but somehow I doubt it).
I suppose that Ginny's grief about the loss of her father is affecting her judgment a little, but then there's nothing wrong with children's knowing that their parents love them very much and will go to bat for them if necessary.
I liked how you described how Lily Luna reacted to the sight of her parents being romantic with each other. So typical for that age. And very cute.
A nice wrap-up at the end, with the two old fogies dancing with the two pre-adolescents. The structure of the final sentence was lovely. It neatly expressed the many facets of Ginny's reality. A good finishing line!
Vicki
Howdy!
Because I am a failure, I am only now doing my part of our swap. I'm sorry it's taken so long. ANYWHO...
I am a sucker for Harry/Ginny (contrary to popular belief, it is in fact my OTP) and I thought this worked so well for them immediately post-war. You clearly captured the kind of mental and emotional void Harry would probably find himself in and you do it succinctly too which is rather impressive.
However, being a sucker for Harry/Ginny the ending was my favorite (and not because they done did it). They just have this wonderful connection where they give each other what they need without the other asking. Ginny's frown sort of makes me feel like despite her quip to Ron, she - on some level - wanted the affirmation that he still thought well of how she looked and then Harry...well, she's the only one who can drag words and purpose out of him at this point. And she finally both shows and tells him what he's always needed - that he is loved.
Super-duper! stuff I will try to drop back by this in the future because I am certain the other chapters are just as exceptional!
Author's Response:Ahhh I'm so glad you touched up on their connection! I definitely wanted that scene to come across as something more than just physical. And you're completely right about Ginny. She's going to make jokes and make light of things but deep down inside, of course what she went through was traumatic too, and of course she needed Harry as much as he needed her. Thank you so much for writing such an insightful review <3 Quilly
Tag! :D
Aww... poor Xander... this whole chapter is so bittersweet, so melanchonic... and I guess it's a perfect atmosphere for the sunset prompt, actually! I also love how you used the sunset prompt to play with the concept of darkness. I love how you close the chapter, with the family retiring to the safety of the house and away from the darkness, it's such a great metaphore, I really like it!
And I love the way Xander fits with the Potter siblings, and how each of them perceives him. It's so clever the way you wrote it! And this bit: Lily soon considers him to be something of hers, often holding on tightly to his hand as if he were a balloon at risk of drifting away. <3 I love how special their bond is already, and I love the child-like innocence of this image, it's so sweet! <3
The bit about the snitch was sort of sad... I can't blame Albus for thinking that Xander is cheating, but I feel so bad for Xander who seems unable to control his magic and refusing to play anymore is such a believable childish reaction... poor thing... and Lily immediately going to sit by him and trying to distract him! Really, they are too sweet! <3
I've always thought that stealing Xander's memories would backfire eventually... we aren't to that point in your main story yet, but I just know that Harry's worries are founded... :/ Again, I love the way you write him and Ginny, the way the two of them support each other through everything, even when they don't fully agree on something. You can just feel the love between them, even in this chapter that isn't really focused on that. I love the way you write them as a couple! <3
Another great one!
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Hi Quilly! I see you have a new chapter so time for some tag! (Unless the gods have other plans ;))
WHY ARE WE KILLING ARTHUR?! WHYYY? :sobbing: But I also love that you included a mention of Cedrella. Even if she too, is dead. Ok. Priorities Courtney. PRIORITIES. ;)
Ahhh but that song is such a lovely classic one and now my heart and head are imagining many generations of Weasleys swaying to it (I'm normal I stg LOL). But it's so sweet that with this melancholic start that Ginny recalls her Dad doing all these incredibly sweet things and still wants to dance. And that song though with its lyrics is so fitting in this moment. It's not goodbye forever for them with Arthur. And it's not goodbye forever for Lily and Xander (though she doesn't properly grasp that, being a child).
That ending was so incredibly sweet with the interruption of Xander and Lily and them joining in with the dancing. You totally turned my emotions around in 1,000 words, which I don't think is an easy feat. (And also head canon of mine that Arthur has a copious amount of records. Several head canons pertaining to records + the Weasleys, but we can't go through it all now LOL).
That last line had me all :David Tenant standing in the rain looking sad: but with a full heart. It was such a lovely end line Quilly!
<3 Courtney
Tag!!
Ooh, to your author's note, I don't think this is repetitive with In This Darkness at all! It's a different sort of view of things, a different scene when Harry and Ginny reflecting at that particular point in time, and we get to see some of Xander's magic as a child in more detail!
I love that in this collection we're now getting to see a glimpse of Xander, particularly with Lily, to see what they were like before ITD. I was so struck by the description of how Lily has "decided he's something of hers." Like the intensity of their connection conveyed in that one line, even though they're just young children. And it's something so innocent in children but you could see how it could take a darker turn, or even just an intense one.
It also makes me want to see so much more of young Xander and how different facets of him developed as he grew. He's a normal kid in the sense of what he wants right now, which is to play with the others, but there's this thing about him that makes him not fit exactly, the way his magic gets in the way and how that frustrates him.
Also, btw your intro paragraph about the sunset and how it blends into darkness was absolutely gorgeous!
<3 Melanie
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(oh anyway, hi, here for our swap!) XD
Ok like -- super sweet application of the prompt, such family fluff, perfection, BUT you know I'm really here to just let my jaw hit the floor over the beautiful, poetic use of the mirror in this chapter?!?
Like first of all, just the intro paragraph on its own, how the mirror "sees" all these parts of their life, almost like it's documenting the life of their family together even though those reflections are in the past now.
But THEN. Tying it back to the Mirror of Erised, and how Lily looks exactly like her namesake and it makes Harry think about seeing his mum in the mirror, and seeing the family he craved, and now he's seeing the family he wanted but had no way of realizing he was going to have someday AND BY THE WAY THERE WAS A JAMES POTTER AND A LILY POTTER IN THE MIRROR OF ERISED AND A JAMES AND A LILY POTTER IN THIS MIRROR, I AM OVERWROUGHT.
And yeah, that's how he knows he could never wants anything else to be happier than he is right now -- that the reflection he's seeing in this ordinary mirror is what he'd see in the Mirror.
Also, shifting gears -- James "I thought you only meant the chandeliers downstairs?" Classic.
<3 Melanie
Hello again, I'm here for the review tag <3
Wow, I love this description of Harry sneaking into Ginny's room and telling her all his secrets. He definitely still has that chip on his shoulder from being The Chosen One -- like he's constantly being watched and judged. Just knowing he finds solacein Ginny is <3
This conversation is also so mature! I love seeing Harry sort of make decisions for himself, knowing what he needs even if it takes him away from Ginny. And I think that's one of the building blocks for a great relationship. I also love their little snarky banter, because what is Ginny without that.
And that longing is so real!! I love the growth that their relationship makes in this chapter. It feels really slow and strong, and just so Ginny and Harry. Even with the thought that she wants to fast forward through life and get back to him.
Thanks again!
Catherine
And tag back! :D
This is so cute! <3 I love this glimpse of family life, it's just lovely! Harry trying to do Lily's hair while the boys cause mayhem behind them! Such a great picture! :D And, oh my, Lily! "Right, Daddy, you did your best, but now let's get Mum to fix this" lol! :P And, oh my! James hanging Albus from the chandelier and convincing him that's how you get sorted... such a James Potter move! :P And I love the contrast between James' fake innocence and Albus genuine one, it's so lovely, too! I just love the family dynamic you've pictured here, it's so perfect! <3
And what an adorable use of the prompt, with Ginny teaching Harry how to make plaits! <3 So clever and sweet!!! But, aww... the way Lily resembles Lily Evans, and how everyone gets emotional when they see her... <3 "I am Lily Potter," Lily tries to reason with them. So child-like and lovely! <3
And, aww!!! I absolutely love the reference to the mirror of erised! It's just so perfect, too! And I love how Harry is got to a place in his life in which he's confident that he would just see himself exactly as he is if he watched into it! It makes me so happy to think that he would be so happy with what his life is now! <3
Another brilliant chapter, loving this collection more and more! <3
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Quilly! Here for a little review tag (again ((unless the gods have other plans))).
Wow this opening with the sunset was absolutely gorgeous. An excellent example of poetic writing, for sure! And then there's this sense of immense relief that overtakes everything as Ginny throws herself into Harry's arms. She doesn't know everything we do about his retrieval of Xander. And even then we don't know everything (which just gives us more opportunity to figure it all out as In This Darkness progresses ;)).
I do love that we get more of the political landscape and what is happening, even in this piece though. I think it's important and there's a continuity between this and In This Darkness. Which isn't an easy task when you're in the midst of writing two stories. And I think you manage it well.
I really thought it was clever that the sunset parts of this are more tension filled or melancholic, but still beautiful. We tend to think of sunsets as calming or placing or the end of something well done. But you apply it differently, which I always appreciate when someone does that. :) And the title was aptly named!
Another great drabble! More soon, pls!
<3 Courtney
Hi Quilly, sneaking in for a little tag! (Unless the gods have other plans ;))
Oh my gosh, I love the intro with the mirror! It's such a great, poetic metaphor!
And the chaos of a small, growing family is captured so well here! Like even what you aren't saying (examples of James' accidental magic), says so much about all that Harry's dealing with. And this idea of a guy trying to manage mayhem while his wife gets work done...it's comical and accurate beyond belief. I can't tell you how much I can relate to this LOL. So I enjoyed everything about it!
I love how you chose to apply this prompt here for them. It was incredibly sweet and heartwarming. And that ending! I mean, you totally kill it with your end lines, I love how you went there with the Mirror of Esired.
I'm going to need about a million more chaotic slices of life with this family because my heart is now full and warm and fuzzy.
<3 Courtney
Hi Quilly! Here for our swap!
Ahh...I absolutely love that we took a similar direction for this type of prompt, but they both turned out so different! Like it was cool to see why Ginny didn't want to leave to go to her next match, just as we saw Rose, but all for very different reasons. I imagine that the life of Quidditch players was very taxing if they had families or loved ones they were constantly leaving behind. And I think you show this in such a meaningful way. We get a sense that Ginny truly does care about the game, but she also cares about her family. And women in particular or mothers in particular, feel this guilt of pursuing what we truly love because we feel like we shouldn't be sacrificing our relationships for things that fulfill us. And you really show Ginny's struggle with that in this piece. It's honest and raw and real and not everyone feels comfortable going there. But I think we need to go there. And I think we need to dispel this myth of "having it all, equally," and "Mom guilt," and all these other lies society tells us.
Anyway, let me step down from my soapbox and get back to these characters this drabble. ;)
Ok so I love the "Ginny Potter" and "Ginny Weasley" thing. I've done that too (twice, because I guess I am predictable LOL) and I think it's important for signifying growth in a character. But it's also important to show that it's not just because you took your spouse's surname. Which you do. She chose to marry Harry and to be a mother. And all of those things are as equally important to her as Quidditch, if not more.
Things in life are temporary, which this story shows. Quidditch is temporary as is rearing your children and seeing them grow up before your eyes. I like that you chose a developmental stage in Albus' life as the reason for her not wanting to leave. That age is terribly hard to leave your kids. It tears at your heart.
Again, your Ginny is multi-faceted, both strong and self assured as well as soft and insecure. Women are all things and you show all the things. And with Harry, she can be all the things.
Anyway, this was so poignant and enjoyable and now I need more Hinny!
Thank you for the review swap opportunity!
<3 Courtney
BEAUTIFUL FUCKING FAMILY <3 <3 <3 I LOVE THEM ALL SO MUCH! This whole collection has been such a fucking joy to read and so wonderful to get lost in and cry with and laugh with and AHHHHH!!!!! I really don't read a ton of post-hogwarts stuff but you've got me in love with this pairing and this family of theirs <3 <3 <3
Thank you so so much for joining this challenge and thinking so creatively about the prompts :D :D :D This serisouly has been so fun to read and I can't wait to see if you publish more and also I'mma have to peep that other story you've got up cause if it's anything like this I'mma get lost in it too! <3 <3 <3
Author's Response:Thank you so much for all these wonderful reviews and for creating such an amazing challenge. I really did have the best time creating this collection <3
After not before :ELMO FIRE: I. Love. James. Sirius. Potter. This mischief is everything! He's out there pretending to be a fucking dog XD XD XD OMG I could see this chapter so vividly playing out like a movie in my head while I read these. Teddy too! Oh the exhaustion they must feel with those trouble makers XD XD XD And now Lily is on the way <3 <3 <3
<3 <3 <3 Harry Potter ladies and gents. XD XD XD I loved this. I love that these two hate parties and that Harry hates being celebrated and that even after thier kids and so being married they are as passionate about one another as ever. Freaking yes. <3 <3 <3
Yup. Crying again. <3
Luna taught me how to believe in humanity. The world doesn't deserve Luna honestly. She's the best of us. This was such a beautiful tribute to such an incredible character. Again, taking these prompts in directions I'd never have thought and making something so hope-filled and warm with it. God this chapter was seriously so poignant. Delicate. Beautiful.
I really. I don't even know what to say for this chapter. This was beautiful. The overprotectiveness is so palpable and real and makes so much sense. I love the repition of the world being big and him being small, the way thoughts just stick in your head until they've got you convinced. That was really well written <3 <3 <3
I love Ginny. I love her wit and her strength and her honesty. I love how you write her with this just ease and nonsense side of about her. The line about his hobby is saving the world had me laughing out loud for real. And again you've managed to sprinkle so much warmth and hope and fluff into a chapter that is setting up something dark and scary and gross and ugh. Why are people just the fucking worst?
but these two are the frekaing best <3 <3 <3
FLUFF! AHHH! <3 <3 <3 So much sweetness in this chapter! I really love how you've worked these prompts into this continuous story. It's got so much dynamics and tension and story beats even in the short word limit that was alotted by whatever tyrant restricted your word count (hehe). I love how normal these two are. I really really love that they are just fluffy cause they're just normal. Just doing normal things. Naming babies. Proposing. Craving beans on toast. <3 <3 <3
AGAIN WITH THE LAST LINE AND THE HOOK AND THE DAGGER TO THE HEART AND THE AHHHHHHH I really like that Harry is so tense in the start of this and that you never say it, you just get it from the way he doesn't respond to her and then he won't take the directions and then he snips at her all sarcastic about losing his family. I stan a sassy Potter btw.
And this worldbuilding you've done for the estate and the family and the history and how all of these characters are brought into it. It's so wonderfully done. I really really loved this ending too. <3 <3 <3
This chapter was a roller coaster and I WOULD RIDE IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT! Not only was the story itself A.Fucking.Dorable. But the way you wrote it, with that turn in the middle into the frantic and manic moment of it all spilling out of her was so well done. I love love love the way this bookends too - your writing has really blown me away through these <3 <3 <3
And I'm crying again. Don't mind me. Just relishing every moment of a normal life Harry gets to live here. With family. Full of love. And belonging. And warmth. and NO I CAN'T HELP IT THE CAPS ARE OUT AGAIN THIS WAS SO FUCKING PURE AND CHOAS AND WEASLEY AND PERFECT!
Things I will never let go of:
- Arthur wondering if people in the TV know we're watching them- George saying blink if he's brought you against your will
- Everyone agreeing with their fingers crossed behind their back
- Teddy. Everything about Teddy.
This chapter was every little ounce of closure I didn't know I needed for these characters. I really don't even have the words for this one. I'm so happy to have read this. Happy that you wrote this. It's somehow tragic and cheerful and sad and full of hope. The moment under the stairs?! Like. I literally can't even. That's the most romantic fucking thing I've ever read. That he brought her there. That he sat there in that darkness with her and that he's going to leave that darkness behind them now. <3 <3 <3 Masterful.
SLOW CLAP FOR THE DURSLEYS. Not for them - for the way you've written them. They're prefectly wretched and flawed and insecure and everything that family is. So well done here. And the way Harry is prickly with them. Oh I live for this tension. The ugliness is on the inside. You just drop these gems like a mic drop <3 <3 <3
And I'll say it again for people in the back - fluff doesn't have to be sugary sweet. This chapter contrasts the soft with the rough edges, holding on tight with letting go, being vulnerable and showing all of you is the fluffiest thing you can do. <3
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